On Dinsdagstraat, near the St. Janskerkhof, once stood the St. Janskerk, a cruciform church from the mid-14th century. This house of God was once one of the largest in the region. During the Eighty Years' War against the Spanish, the church was severely damaged. After this war, it was restored using the still usable materials from an even older, battered church from Sluis, namely the O.L. Vrouwekerk.
After the conquest of Sluis by Prince Maurice in 1604, the church was used for Reformed services. The church contained grave tombs of prominent figures, such as councillors of the Dukes of Burgundy and governors.
The church was destroyed by a fire in 1811, probably due to the carelessness of a plumber. The foundations were uncovered in 1948, and at that time painted gravestones were discovered.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Queen Wilhelmina's reign, a small park was laid out on the site of this former cruciform church. Since then, this place has been better known as "St. Janskerkhof".
The row of picturesque little houses standing there are the 'rentjes'. Rentjes is the name for the former rent (tenancy) houses. These belonged to the diaconate (poor relief) of the Reformed church.
